Iskandar Malaysia project on track, says PM

JOHOR BARU: The Iskandar Malaysia project here will not be scaled down and the Federal Government is committed to seeing that it succeeds, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“It is important that Iskandar Malaysia succeeds and we will continue to back the commitment. I am still the co-chairman of this development,” he said when asked if it would be scaled down to ensure long-term viability.

He said he was pleased with the inflow of investments into the project which was on track to achieve the target of RM47bil within the next two years.

Abdullah speaking during a press conference after being briefed on the progress of Iskandar Malaysia in Johor Baru Friday as Ghani (left) and Iskandar Malaysia CEO Datuk Ikmal Hijaz Hashim (third from left) look on.

“At the moment we have secured 70% with almost RM33bil in investments,” he told reporters after attending a three-hour briefing on Iskandar Malaysia's progress.

Abdullah reiterated Federal and state governments’ support for all ongoing projects in Iskandar and other economic corridors announced before the elections.

He also officially announced that the project, previously known as Iskandar Development Region (IDR), would be named Iskandar Malaysia with immediate effect.

“It is not a new development project but just the same project which has been renamed.

“There is no change in policy, commitment or the authority.”

Abdullah also announced that RM200mil had been allocated to build housing units in Iskandar Malaysia, saying it was one of the most important of Iskandar initiatives.

To be launched in the second half of the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP), 2,000 units, with a minimum built-up of 850-900 sq ft per unit, would be built in the first phase of the housing development, he said.

On the progress of the project’s RM1.88bil infrastructure development, Abdullah said three projects had been completed while seven others were still under construction. Another six will start in June.